At the rendezvous of Irish agriculture, the Brexit day disturbances

It is 9:00 am and the doors are barely opening on the huge Screggan field in Offaly County, where already thousands of boots are walking through the fresh, muddy enclosure that was hosting this week's biggest agricultural Ireland, where the Brexit plays the spoils.

This year again, visitors - more than 290,000 - were in a hurry, to talk about agricultural machines or production volumes. But it is especially the opportunity for families to see animals, practice Irish hockey and enjoy a festive atmosphere.

However, on the exhibitors' side, the atmosphere is somewhat sealed by the Brexit and the fall of the pound sterling, which dangerously increases Irish exports to the United Kingdom.

Amidst the turmoil, John Keena, a cattle breeder, has a serious face, referring to the 20% drop in the British currency since the referendum on the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union in June 2016.

For the fifties, "we have lost about thirty cents on the sale of the kilo of beef for the last six weeks. For us it is unjustified and the purchase price has to go up to 4 euros per kilo".

- 37% of exports -

Joe Healy, the head of the Irish Farmers' Association, the country's main agricultural organization, tries hard to finish swallowing his muffin between questions and requests for selfie. Despite his jovial air, he also said he was concerned.

"We export 90% of our beef production, half in the UK, 45% in Europe and 5% in international markets, and half of the 45% who go to Europe pass through the United Kingdom. a bridge office with the continent, "he said, highlighting the dependence of the sector on the British neighbor.

Beef is not the only one involved: the Irish agri-food sector, the largest employer in the country with 8.4% of the workforce, exports 37% of its production to the United Kingdom.

The mushroom industry, which sends 80% of its production, was the first to bear the costs of the pound fluctuations with already narrow margins which have further declined and caused the bankruptcy of several operators.

Farmers, breeders and processors are also anxiously awaiting the outcome of the London negotiations with Brussels, fearing that customs barriers between the EU and the UK would be restored.

"We need to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best," said Tara McCarthy, president of Bord Bia, the government agency for agri-food that has provided exporting companies with information and marketing tools to new strategies.

- Where would the cheddar go? -

Dublin is also looking for new partners in case of exit without agreement of its neighbor even if "it would leave a huge vacuum since it speaks of 250.000 tons of beef exported to the United Kingdom", emphasizes Tara McCarthy.

The country targets in particular the Chinese market "which could represent a great opportunity" but to which it does not yet have access.

Unlike the meat or mushrooms sector, milk producers are better off thanks to a recent rise in dairy prices after a difficult 2016, according to John Wicherley, dairy breeders in Cork County, south of Ireland.

The situation is "stable", he said while admitting that "cautiously confident".

The milk of its cows feeds the Irish cheese industry, which supplies 80% of the cheddar consumed by the British.

For Joe Healy, without the UK in the customs union, "there is no longer any market for cheddar" Irish. "Farmers and processors have invested to provide the market and British consumers with the products they need." Without this outlet, they will be particularly fragile.